POLICE are targeting an alleyway which has become a popular hot spot for drug addicts following a string of complaints by local residents.

Residents have witnessed discarded needles, packages being passed amongst gangs and addicts injecting heroin in the alleyway, which runs across Griffin Close and behind Ox-Lea pub in Shepshed.

Coun Diane Horn, of Shepshed, said: “People are using these alleyways because they are out of sight, but members of the public are using them as short cuts and are worried about the activity going on there.

“I know there are people shooting up and that is a concern for residents because they have young children. People want to live in a reasonable society without worrying if their children playing outside are being dealt drugs.”

Coun Horn said residents living near Griffin Close were also worried of becoming victims of burglaries and other crimes because drug addicts needed to fund their habits.

Extra police patrols are now circling the area to identify the magnitude of the problem and a patch walk has been set up in July so that councillors, police officers and residents can measure the extent of the problem.

Sgt Kevin Taylor, of Loughborough police, said: “As part of a consultation run by the local beat team, residents had seen needles being disposed of in the alleyway and as a result we have made it a beat priority.

“Residents have said they are glad to see an increase in extra patrols and we are also organising a patch walk with councillors and local residents to identify exactly what is going on.”

The patch walk of the area will take place on Wednesday, July 29, between 10am and 12pm.